When a Southwest Flight Turned into a Super‑Hero Moment
Tammie Jo Shults, the former Navy F‑18 pilot turned Southwest captain, steered a black‑winged Boeing 737‑700 to safety after one of its engines blew up on Tuesday. At 32,000 feet, the blast ripped a piece off the aircraft, killing a passenger and nearly tossing another out of a jagged window.
The Instant Decision
Instead of panicking, Shults calmly told air traffic control that a part of the plane was missing and that she’d need ambulances on the runway. She cut the flight’s altitude and brought the aircraft down at a rapid, controlled descent toward Philadelphia International Airport.
Social Media Praise
- “The pilot Tammy Jo was so amazing! She landed us safely in Philly,” posted Amanda Bourman.
- Thousands of passengers tweeted thanks while setting a caught‑in‑flight selfie contest.
- Passengers identified Shults as the hero, but Southwest Airlines kept the crew’s names under wraps.
Rooted in a Naval Heritage
Shults launched her flying career in the US Navy, where she became one of the first women to pilot an F‑18. During her service, she touched down on aircraft carriers at 150 mph—no small feat for a rookie.
From Medicine to The Skies
- After studying medicine in Kansas, she applied to the Air Force, but was denied the test.
- She was accepted by the Navy instead, becoming an instructor before leaving in 1993.
- Her classmates described her as “determined to fly” from a young age.
As a devout Christian, Shults often said the captain’s seat gave her a chance to witness for Christ on nearly every flight. Passengers shared the same sentiment, reciting “God sent his angels to watch over us.”
What the Safety Bureau Says
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt praised the crew’s handling: “They’re trained for emergency descents and losing an engine. They did the job that professional airline pilots are trained to do.”
In summary, a dramatic engine failure at 32,000 feet was diffused by a seasoned pilot, a bit of divine affirmation, and a lot of calm. All four critical outcomes: life saved, no major injuries, and a flight crew that nailed a high‑stakes landing.
